Palestinian diplomats to gather in İstanbul

Palestinian diplomats to gather in İstanbul

Palestinian ambassadors serving in various countries will gather in İstanbul next weekend as part of efforts to unify the political voice in Palestine and to reach a consensus over the foundation of a sovereign and globally recognized Palestinian state.

The crucial two-day gathering will take place a month after a visit to Ankara by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which coincided with the arrival of the Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in İstanbul for a separate meeting with Turkish authorities. The meeting of ambassadors is expected to define the Palestinian course of action as the country will push for a United Nations vote in September for recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state in the territory it had in 1967, before much of it was captured by Israel the same year. Palestine Ambassador to Turkey Nabil Marouf said İstanbul was selected as the location for the ambassadorial gathering due to Turkey’s rising profile within the region and the trust they have in the country’s support for Palestinian rights.